Best to Stay at Universal yet go to Disney?

[Haley R]

Yes, the express pass included all Harry Potter Rides as well now, that was newer in the last 6ish months or so. I think I may do the split stay or rent DVC, or shorten our days, even though I would love to stay longer. We won't be renting a car as we are driving from Michigan so either way we have to pay parking fee's etc. I am not so worried about all the other stuff Disney adds on as fee's, just the initial Hotel pricing and that. Have any of you stayed at the 7 Disney Springs Hotels Disney gave some benefits to, like 60 day fast past and extra magic hours?

When we stayed at Disney last year we did a split stay between Port Orleans Riverside and Animal Kingdom Lodge. It helped us a lot on our budget because we couldn't have done all 7 nights at AKL so instead did 3 nights there and 4 at POR. We were able to book AKL through Undercover Tourist for under $300/night which I think is pretty good for a deluxe hotel.

DH and I are huge supporters of split stays because it's nice to visit more than one resort and it helps take some strain off our budget. We are already planning our trip for next February and are thinking about renting DVC points for part and staying at a Value or Mod the other part.

Like a PP, my parents took me to Disney twice (once as a kid and once when I asked to go back for my senior trip). The first trip we stayed at Universal and did one day at MK. That's it. My parents honestly thought we could do MK in one day. When we went back for my senior trip we stayed off site from both and it was fine, but again we did one day at MK and that was it. DH and I got married two years ago and I finally got to stay onsite and it was such a game changer. We LOVE being in the bubble and I personally think the 60 days for FPs is great. We also just did the Magical Express for the first time and that was nice.

 

[Ceryssa]

Hello,

Like anything I do know that Universal's changes to be higher around the holidays, but Adventura is about $107/nt, Cab. Bay is $130/nt and only $150/nt for a suite that will fit 6 people, and Sap. Falls is around $150/nt. At Universal, I think one of the biggest differences is if you stay at Roy. Pac., Hard Rock, or Port. their Unlimited Express Pass is included as well as transportation and extra hours, you wait no more than 15 mins for any ride as many times as you want.

I have stayed at all Universal Hotels except Royal Pac. which is usually always booked up and Adventura which hasn't opened yet. We have even stayed Club Level at both Port. and HR. I think that is where my husband and I are having trouble, Club Level at Portifino or HR will run you about $330. Without it you can get a room at Roy. Pac., HR, or Port. for about $239-$330. I really want to stay on site at Disney, I am just not sure I can make it happen and have my husband be happy. I am thinking of renting DVC points as a way to save also. Since we are from Michigan and we are driving, I would love to stay more than just 5 days, so I think that is part of what comes into play. Have many of you split your stays? Staying say 4 nights at Art of Animation & 4 nights at a higher resort like Animal Kingdom? I appreciate everyone's input. Thanks!

I've done onsite, offsite, moderates, deluxes, a brief value stay (not my cup of tea), and multiple split stays lol. The only combination I really don't like is the offsite/onsite split stay. I just found it it be a pain. We've done on property split stays a number of times because we like experiencing different resorts. If you really want to both stay on property and stay within budget, it's probably the best option. I really wouldn't advise staying at Universal if you're planning to do Disney exclusively. The two resorts aren't that close, and with traffic you're looking at a frustrating commute every day, especially if you're trying to get there for rope drop.

 

[AlexBelle's Mom]

We are splitting our time, we are doing 4 days at Disney then 4 days at Universal. I also was looking at the stay more and save they offer at each of universal's resort, it made it very affordable. I think I will try to rent DVC points for AKL, or check out the Undercover Tourist mentioned above. Then I will do one of the 2 hotels we haven't stayed at yet a Universal for our Universal time. I know that seeing what Disney has to offer takes time, but in my opinion, so does seeing what Universal has to offer, it cannot be seen in just 2 days, there is way more there than that, especially including Volcano Bay. I wanted to say thanks to everyone who was nice and offered their help, to the others that were not so nice, I hope you treat the next person who is looking for help a little kinder. This was my first post, and I was genuinely looking for help, thanks to all of those who offered it. Have a great day!

 

[Haley R]

We are splitting our time, we are doing 4 days at Disney then 4 days at Universal. I also was looking at the stay more and save they offer at each of universal's resort, it made it very affordable. I think I will try to rent DVC points for AKL, or check out the Undercover Tourist mentioned above. Then I will do one of the 2 hotels we haven't stayed at yet a Universal for our Universal time. I know that seeing what Disney has to offer takes time, but in my opinion, so does seeing what Universal has to offer, it cannot be seen in just 2 days, there is way more there than that, especially including Volcano Bay. I wanted to say thanks to everyone who was nice and offered their help, to the others that were not so nice, I hope you treat the next person who is looking for help a little kinder. This was my first post, and I was genuinely looking for help, thanks to all of those who offered it. Have a great day!

Just a note about me mentioning undercover tourist: our trip was for the end of February and we didn’t book until December (so about 2 months out). I’m guessing that’s why our stay at akl was so cheap but idk for sure. We also had to move dates a couple times to really get the best price. I don’t remember exactly but I think we switched from like a Monday to a Tuesday and that made a big difference in price. That’s not exactly right but my point is to play around with your dates if you really are looking for the best value.

 

[DisneyArkie]

We are splitting our time, we are doing 4 days at Disney then 4 days at Universal. I also was looking at the stay more and save they offer at each of universal's resort, it made it very affordable. I think I will try to rent DVC points for AKL, or check out the Undercover Tourist mentioned above. Then I will do one of the 2 hotels we haven't stayed at yet a Universal for our Universal time. I know that seeing what Disney has to offer takes time, but in my opinion, so does seeing what Universal has to offer, it cannot be seen in just 2 days, there is way more there than that, especially including Volcano Bay. I wanted to say thanks to everyone who was nice and offered their help, to the others that were not so nice, I hope you treat the next person who is looking for help a little kinder. This was my first post, and I was genuinely looking for help, thanks to all of those who offered it. Have a great day!

I’ve kept up with this thead and haven’t seen anyone that wasn’t not so nice. If you are referring to me pointing out they are similar in price I apologize if you took it that way.

 

[Superchikk]

Being a huge fan of the Disney Bubble you experience when you stay on site, I say do a split stay. We took our kids to Universal in January and stayed at a Universal hotel. The hotel was nice, and we had a great time. However, the full experience does not compare to being inside the Disney Bubble the entire time. We felt like we were just staying at a random hotel and going to a park during the day. When we're at Disney, we feel like we're AT DISNEY the entire time. You can't really quantify that with a dollar amount. However, when we were pricing our trip, trying to decide whether to do Disney or Universal this time, total prices were within a few hundred dollars for the entire trip. Definitely not enough to make or break a decision.

My husband and I are going to Orlando sans kiddos for our anniversary in September. We upgraded our Universal passes so we could go back when we're there. We'll be spending a day there, but we're doing it on the front end of our trip. We decided we want to settle in to Disney and not leave the bubble.

 

[KenHutch]

Well after this trip I will no longer be staying onsite, they finally added one to many pay me's (parking) so for our next trip I was looking at Swan/Dolphin. This weekend however I get a very nice ad email from Universal and with what they offer I am looking very seriously at only 6 days at Swan/Dolphin and giving Universal 4 to 5 days of my money.

 

[Haley R]

Well after this trip I will no longer be staying onsite, they finally added one to many pay me's (parking) so for our next trip I was looking at Swan/Dolphin. This weekend however I get a very nice ad email from Universal and with what they offer I am looking very seriously at only 6 days at Swan/Dolphin and giving Universal 4 to 5 days of my money.

I got mail from universal this week about an annual pass for florida residents. Too bad I live in Iowa

 

[KenHutch]

I got mail from universal this week about an annual pass for florida residents. Too bad I live in Iowa

LOL think they are giving you a hint.

 

[Haley R]

LOL think they are giving you a hint.

I’m not moving there lol. Waaay too hot and humid in the summer.

 

[KenHutch]

I’m not moving there lol. Waaay too hot and humid in the summer.

Well I live in Kansas City and when I do retire I am thinking of the condo and park thing everyday. I walk 15 miles a day now so I figure I can do the walking in the parks.